baking – Page 9 – Feasting Is Fun

Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake

Baking for someone I love has to be one of my favourite things to do. Especially when the recipient is my wonderful Father-in-law. Even more so when it is to celebrate his birthday. While I usually make him a Coffee and Walnut Cake, however, this year I’ve kept all of his favourite flavours and baked them into this beautiful Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake.

Using the Heritage Bundt tin from Nordic Ware, this cake is literally a twist on a classic, popular cake. While the distinct mould of the tin creates an incredible, swirl shaped coffee cake, which is defined with the maple syrup icing. Resulting in a stunningly outstanding cake.

FF Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake — **Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake** mesmerising.

An incredibly moist and delicious cake, that includes walnuts, it is also lump free. Chopping the walnuts very finely ensures their nutty flavour mixes well with the coffee and spices. While the maple syrup icing adds another layer of flavour. Resulting in a light, not heavy sponge, that tastes fantastic.

My Father-in-law is a very special and incredibly talented man. Much loved and respected, I consider myself to be very blessed to be part of his family. He is a wonderful Dad and Grandad, with a gentle sense of humour. And our children love to hear stories of his past adventures which span many centuries. Especially those of his time as a Pirate!!

No candles are needed to light up this dazzlingly, delicious cake.

Recipe: Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake serves 10-12

250g/9oz Unsalted Butter – softened to room temperature

250g/9oz Soft Light Brown Sugar

1/4tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

2tsp Camp Coffee or 1.5tsp Instant Coffee – dissolved in 1tsp water

5 Large Free Range Eggs

100g/4oz Plain Natural Yoghurt

75g/3oz Walnut Halves or pieces – chopped or processed until they are very fine. Similar in texture to ground almonds

1/4tsp Freshly Grated Nutmeg

1/4tsp Cinnamon

200g/7oz Plain White Flour

3tsp Baking Powder

150g/5oz Icing Sugar

3tbsp Maple Syrup – I like Pure Maple

White, silver or golden sprinkles

Making And Baking The Bundt Cake

Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 310F.

Note: I always use Wilton cake release to guarantee a clean, sharp edged finish. Apply using a soft pastry brush, taking care to ensure every part of the Bundt tin is evenly covered. Alternately brush on melted butter in the same manner, followed by a light coating of flour.

First of all, prepare the Bundt tin as per the instructions above.
Whisk the softened butter, sugar and salt together in a large bowl for at least 5 minutes. The mixture should be light and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and the eggs to the bowl. Continue whisking until all of the ingredients are well mixed.
Now add the yoghurt, but do not stir.
Next add the finely chopped walnuts, then sift in the flour, baking powder and spices.
Use a metal spoon to fold all of the ingredients together until they are fully combined.
Spoon the cake batter into the prepared Bundt tin, pressing down to ensure the tin does not have any air gaps. Smooth the top of the batter.
Place the Bundt tin into the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.
To test if the cake is fully baked, insert a wooden skewer. The cake is baked when the skewer comes out clean. Also the cake should spring back from a light touch and have shrunk away from the sides of the Bundt tin.
As soon as the cake is baked remove the from the oven. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes.
Finally, turn the Bundt cake out on to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before icing.

Adding The Decoration

First, sift the icing sugar into a bowl.
Add the maple syrup and stir well. And then add up to one tablespoon of cold, tap water. Stir well so that the icing is a smooth, fairly thick consistency.
Fill a small, disposable piping bag with the maple syrup icing.
To ice the cake, first place the cooling rack over a large baking tray. This will allow any excess icing to drip through.
Snip the very end of the piping bag off, leaving a 3-4mm hole.
With the cake in front of you, follow the line of one swirl and pipe the icing along it. Double back on yourself, piping over the original line to ensure an even finish.
Continue in the same manner until all of the swirls have been iced.
Finish the decoration by adding sprinkles on top of the icing. Start at the bottom and finish approximately two thirds of the way up the cake. Most importantly, make sure the sprinkles all finish at the same point.

To serve, place the cake on to a plate or cake stand. Since I do not have a cake lifter, two palette knives, positioned either side of the cake, make easy work of moving the cake.

No waiting needed! Since the icing sets pretty quickly, simply slice and serve, with a smile. Especially if baking for a celebration. It has been said, a celebration without a cake is simply a meeting.

FF Cake baked in Heritage Bundt Pan — Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake

If you have enjoyed the recipe for this Maple Syrup Iced Coffee Bundt Cake then you may also like these:

Mascarpone Topped Carrot Cake

Fluted Chocolate Lemon Marble Cake

Boozy Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cake

Although shop bought cakes may be convenient, nothing compares to the taste of a home baked one. And supermarkets definitely do not bake love into a cake unlike cakes baked at home. Most importantly, when made with love and given with a smile, homemade cakes are unique gift.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing a feast. Finally, remember that food tastes better when it is shared.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Red Velvet Mini Tiered Heart Cakes

Some days you have to bake love into your day. Whether that means actually getting in the kitchen and physically baking, or metaphorically adjusting yourself – literally putting on love. Today, as the results of the 2016 United States of American presidential election were revealed, I had to do both. First of all, I had to pray, give all my fears to God and accept His peace, then I made myself bake. More specifically, bake these Red Velvet Mini Tiered Heart Cakes.

Oh these cakes are so good. Since making these cupcakes , I’ve wanted to try another red velvet recipe. Having recently bought the tiered heart mini Bundt pan from Sugar and Crumbs and considering the shock I, along with many others were in this morning, it seemed the perfect tin to use. A visual reminder that pure love always overcomes fear, no matter how frightened we may become.

**Red Velvet Mini Tiered Heart Cakes** 3 tiers of love in a cake.

Perfectly detailed, these tiered heart cakes taste ridiculously good. If you are in a bad mood these cakes will cheer you up. Their deep chocolate flavour, in a rich, fudgey cake, pairs beautifully with fresh berries. Truthfully the red, white and blue theme was planned. Representing the colours of the American flag and what their constitution stands for. While praying, baking and then photographing these cakes, I could feel the worry and fear lift from me.

The relief of being able to hand over my worries and fears to our Awesome Heavenly Father is immeasurable. To know that He abides by His written word, which states in 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear…”

Recipe: Red Velvet Mini Tiered Heart Cakes makes 12

Note: To grease the individual cake moulds I recommend Wilton cake release.

150g/5oz Unsalted Butter softened to room temperature

150g/5oz Caster Sugar

1/8tsp Salt – I use Maldon

2 Large Free Range Eggs

150g/5oz Sour Cream

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

150g/5oz Plain White Flour

50g/2oz Cocoa Powder

2tsp Baking Powder

1/4tsp Red Food Colouring Gel – I use Wilton

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3.

First of all, it is important to prepare the Bundt pan correctly. Spray or pour cake release into each mould. Use a pastry brush to ensure every part of the cake mould is covered. Because this mould is very detailed, it needs care taking over this stage.
Next, into a large bowl add the sugar, butter and salt. Whisk/beat these ingredients together until they are pale and creamy. This is known as the ‘creaming’ method.
Next add the eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract and food colouring. Sift in the flour, cocoa and baking powder.
Using a spoon or electric whisk, mix all of the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined. This is know as the ‘all in one’ method.
To fill the individual cake moulds, carefully spoon the red velvet cake batter into the mould so that it is three quarters full. Continue until all six moulds are equally filled.
Now place the Bundt pan in the centre of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
The cakes are baked when they spring back from a light touch, alternatively insert a wooden cocktail stick (so that it doesn’t damage the pan) and if it come out clean the cakes are done.
Once baked, remove the cake pan from the oven.

Allow the cakes to cool for 5 minutes in the tin before turning them out on to a cooling rack.

While allowing to cool you could make some Boozy Berry Sauce, to serve with these cakes. Alternatively some fresh berries and whipped cream, turn these pretty cakes into a stunning dessert. Also a light dusting with icing sugar shows up these cakes incredible detail.

A truly tasty recipe that is versatile!

If you have enjoyed these Red Velvet Mini Tiered Heart Cakes you may also like these:

Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes

Mini Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cakes

Finally, change can be unsettling for everyone. Interestingly, in the bible, the words “do not fear” and “fear not” feature very frequently. Jesus did not come to promise us a life that was all plain sailing. Clearly not! Since He knew there would be circumstances and situations that would cause us to worry. The key is to hand that anxiety to Him in prayer and in turn accept His Peace, which surpasses our understanding.

Ultimately, not worrying, is, in my experience an active ongoing experience. Rather like forgiveness, sometimes we have to keep forgiving, likewise we also need to continue to hand all things to God in prayer. Giving thanks for all He has brought us through and trusting Him to see us through again.

If you would like to know more about my Christian faith please see Important Stuff.

Sammie xx

Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes

Today we are celebrating National Apple Day here in the U.K. Since there are two trees groaning under the weight of their abundant apple harvest in our back garden, an apple bake is needed. And a gift of maple syrup sparked inspiration resulting in these Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes. Finally, the finished result is better than I could imagine.

Three small cakes on a white plate next to a basket full of red fruit. — Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes

One apple tree produces Spartan apples. Tennis ball sized, shiny red-green apples that are deliciously crunchy, sweet and ideal for little people hands! While the other apple tree variety is unknown. Sharper in taste than the Spartans, they are similar to a slightly sweeter version of Granny Smith apple. Also they are slightly larger with a similar colour that when rubbed becomes shiny. And fortunately, both apples are great for eating and cooking. Resulting in a combination of both being used for these cupcakes.

A single small cake on a white plate surrounded by the red-green fruit that are used in this recipe. — Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes

Apples, The Core Of These Cupcakes:

Unlike Granny Smith apples, both varieties brown easily when sliced/grated and exposed to the air. While the grated apple be tossed in some fresh lemon juice, which would have prevented discolouration, I didn’t want to do this for two reasons. First of all, the lemon flavour would change the cupcake flavour, possibly overpowering the apple and frosting. Also, the lemon juice would have added moisture, resulting in a wetter batter, where the apple may not have kept it’s even distribution. Grating the apples into the cake batter keeps any discolouration to a minimum.

Freshly baked and frosted small cakes in caramel coloured tulip wrappers on a cooling rack. — Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes

Preparing the cake batter first and then adding the grated batter works really well. As it ensures each cupcake has plenty of evenly distributed apple within a light, moist crumb. Without the maple syrup frosting, these could easily be served as muffins, in which case the addition of some toasted pecan or walnut pieces would bring added flavour and texture. Tasting these cupcakes with the dreamy frosting means I could not possibly eat them any other way now!

A small cake cut in half to shown even distribution of fruit in the bake. — A Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcake cut in half.

Maple syrup frosting. Just think on those words for a moment!

Initially I had worried that the addition of maple syrup to a buttercream frosting would result in a too sweet topping. Instead, the opposite happened, with the maple syrup adding a very slight smoky, creamy flavour. Resulting in the sweetness of the unflavoured frosting being dumbed down. As a result, the final flavour paired beautifully with the lightly spiced apple cupcake.

Recipe: Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes – makes 12

Cupcake Ingredients:

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature

175g/6oz Soft Light Brown Sugar

1/8th tsp Salt – I use Maldon

3 Large Free Range Eggs

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

200g/7oz Plain White Flour

3tsp Baking Powder

1/2tsp Cinnamon

200g/7oz Grated Eating Apple – approximately 3-4 peeled apples

Frosting Ingredients: you may have extra frosting left over

250g/9oz Salted Butter very soft, ideally removed from the fridge the night before

500g/1lb 2oz Sifted Icing Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Extract

2tbsp Maple Syrup – use real maple syrup not maple syrup flavouring

1tbsp Very Hot Water from a recently boiled kettle

Extra Maple Syrup to drizzle over the finished cupcakes

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4, 350F.

Making And Baking The Cupcakes:

First of all, line a 12 hole deep muffin tin with tulip cupcake wrappers, or deep muffin cases.
Next in a large bowl add the butter, sugar and salt. Whisk/beat them together until they are very pale and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and all 3 eggs to the bowl. Whisk/beat briefly to partially mix the ingredients, without the risk of them curdling – no more than 30 seconds.
Now sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon into the bowl. Set the bowl to one side.
Working quickly, yet carefully, peel and grate 200 grams of apple.
Add the grated apple on top of the flour, in the large bowl and using a spoon mix all the ingredients together, until they are just combined.
Next, using a dessert spoon, place a heaped spoonful of cake batter into each of the cupcake wrappers. Finish by dividing any remaining batter between the twelve cases, so that they are all equally filled.
Finally place the tin in the middle of the preheated oven and bake the cupcakes for 25-35 minutes.
The cupcakes are baked when they spring back from a light touch. Use an inserted skewer to check if they are baked, if it comes out clean they are ready to remove from the oven.
As soon as the cupcakes are baked remove them from the oven and leave them in the tin to fully cool, regardless of which type of wrapper/case has been used.

FF Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes — The stages of making the cupcake batter, through to filling and baking them.

Allow the cupcakes to fully cool before frosting them.

Making The Frosting And Decorating The Cupcakes:

First, add the very soft butter to a large bowl.
Then sift the icing sugar into the bowl.
Next add the vanilla extract, maple syrup and very hot water.
Finally whisk the ingredients, starting slowly and increasing in speed, until you have a smooth, creamy, light buttercream.
Fit a large piping bag with a large star piping nozzle – Wilton #1M.
Fill the piping bag with the maple syrup frosting.
Start in the centre of each cupcake pipe swirls, so the entire top of the cupcake is covered and then, continue to pipe, bringing the tip back to the centre and finishing with a star, as the nozzle is pulled away.
Continue to pipe frosting until each cupcake is generously topped with frosting.
To finish the decoration, drizzle approximately 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup on to the top of the frosting, allowing the drizzle to drip around the frosting swirls.

Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes a taste of Autumn in a cupcake! If you enjoy the season of Autumn, or Fall as it’s also known, take a look at this non food related post Autumn The Most Beautiful Season.

Baking these cupcakes certainly makes the most of seasonal fruit. Since there are plenty of apples freely available I will be making again. Another reason to bake them is also so they can be shared. While none of our friends or neighbours expect deliveries of cake, it is an extra special way of sharing our abundance of apples, which are also given away.

If you have enjoyed the recipe for these Maple Syrup Frosted Apple Cupcakes you may also like these:

Autumn Apple Almond Cake

Gluten free large cake topped with flaked almonds. A slice is cut and pulled slightly away from the Autumn inspired cake. — Gluten Free – Autumn Apple Almond Cake

Crazy Caramel Carrot Cake

Cinnamon Drizzle Apple Walnut Cake Bars

Fruit and nut cake bars drizzled with cinnamon icing and finished with contrasting white sugar nibs. — Cinnamon Drizzle Apple Walnut Cake Bars

I enjoy baking and find the process very relaxing. And creating new recipes is also be very rewarding, especially as I get to share them here, on Feasting Is Fun. Firstly as a personal achievement and also because of the pleasure my baking brings to others. Watching faces full of pleasure as they bite into a delicious treat, big smiles when a friend receives a birthday bake and gracious thanks from a busy, tired family upon receipt of a homemade lasagne, all bring me a deep sense of joy. Life is for sharing and if my small contribution encourages others to do the same, well then, this blog, Feasting is Fun, will have served its purpose.

Do you share your makes and bakes?

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake

The leaves are finally starting to change colour, during a gusty breeze they flutter through the air, landing on the ground, blown into crunchy, golden piles. Autumn is here and with it comes the need to snuggle under soft blankets, while watching telly on a chilly evenings. Warming, comforting food is an absolute necessity. Gone are the salads of summer, instead soups, stews and puddings taking their place. Baking this Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake fills the house with pumpkin spice scent, welcoming all who come home after a busy day at work or school.

Autumnal bake on a white plate with bright orange large squash to the side. — Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake

As the days become increasingly colder, what better than warm pumpkin spices combined with chocolate chips in a moist pumpkin cake, to make you feel ready to tackle the rest of the day? Sliced and wrapped, this Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake is perfect for packed lunches. While at school or work, the taste and warmth of home can be with us, wherever we are.

FF Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake — **Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake** gorgeous autumnal colours.

Pumpkin And Chocolate Combination In A Cake

Creating this loaf cake was a real triumph. Successfully combining pumpkin, pumpkin spices and chocolate into a tasty, moist, healthier cake. Since loaf cakes are so much easier to cut, wrap and pack to go, this has been a huge hit here, especially with hubby. Therefore you will see more loaf cakes appearing on Feasting is Fun.

Starting with the recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins, while delicious, I wanted to add chocolate chips and increase the size of the bake. Because I wanted a cake that was full of flavour, skimping on the chocolate chips was not an option. Deciding to hold back one third to top the cake with, added to the cake’s overall aesthetic.

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake serves 8-10

125g Unsalted Butter melted and cooled plus 1tbsp extra for greasing the loaf tin

3 Large Free Range Eggs

200g Pumpkin Purée

200g Natural Yoghurt – I use full fat Yeo Valley

125g Plain White Flour

150g Wholemeal Flour

3tsp Baking Powder

175g Soft Light Brown Sugar

150g Milk Chocolate Chips or Chunks – I use Callebaut

1/4tsp Salt -I use Maldon

2.5tsp Pumpkin Spice

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4, 350F.

A loaf tin that measures 25cm x 11.5cm x 7.5cm (10″ x 4.5″ x 3″) approximately, is needed for this recipe. Grease the tin with butter and line the base with baking parchment.

Making The Cake Batter

First of all, weigh and melt the butter. Then pour the butter into a separate, medium sized bowl or jug to cool.
While the butter is cooling assemble the dry ingredients. In a large bowl add the plain and wholemeal flour together with the baking powder.
Next add the sugar, salt and pumpkin spice to the flour. Use a balloon whisk to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, ensuring any clumps of sugar are broken up. Finally add 100g of chocolate chips and set the bowl to one side.
Now check the melted butter, it should be just warm. Add the eggs, yoghurt and pumpkin purée. Use a fork to break up the eggs and lightly whisk all the wet ingredients together until they are combined.
With both bowls in front of you make a well in the centre of the larger bowl containing the dry ingredients.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and then stir with a spoon until everything is just combined. Over mixing will result in a heavy cake.
Now spoon the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake batter into the loaf tin, then add the remaining chocolate chips evenly on to the top of the cake.

Baking The Loaf Cake

Place the loaf tin into the centre of the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Insert a skewer into the centre of the cake. When it comes out clean the cake is ready.
As soon as the cake is fully baked remove it from the oven.
Place the loaf tin on a trivet or cooling rack and allow the cake to fully cool in the tin.

When fully cooled run a palette knife around the edges of the cake. Turn the cake out of the tin and carefully remove the baking parchment from the base of the cake.

Since this cake is so delicious, it is perfect for sharing. Invite friends round for a coffee morning and I guarantee that this cake will be a hit. It is also ideal to serve with frothy hot chocolate after a family walk on a chilly day out. Sharing food with others makes it taste infinitely better, simply because it is a experience that engages others while also creating memories.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake you may also like these:

Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

Individual autumnal squash breakfast bakes in red tulip wrappers, displayed in a rustic tray with a large orange, autumn squash in the background. — Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts

Double Cherry Drizzle Oat Bars

Baking can be a very therapeutic and rewarding experience. Working methodically through a recipe, from start to finish, I find myself relaxing in the process. While baking and giving a cake to friends or family shows that they have been thought of and most of all, are cared about. As a result of a little fore thought and preparation, it is really possible to change someone’s day in a positive way.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake

Today’s post is a celebratory one. Since our son turned 14 yesterday. While enjoying everything about celebrating his birthday, from blowing up balloons, hanging fairy lights, presents, cards, seeing family. Aside from seeing his Auntie, he really looks forward to his birthday cake. Since he’s not a huge fan of icing, although he loves Christmas cake, after much discussion he decided on this Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake.

Since he would happily eat Christmas cake every single day, this seemed to be a good compromise. Rather than soaking the dried fruit in an alcoholic concoction, as is needed for Christmas cake, this Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake is easily made in one day. Although as much as I enjoy making Christmas cake, usually with our son’s help, having it throughout the year, would make it less of a special event.

A Lighter Fruit Cake

Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake is a lighter fruit cake, filled with raisins, sultanas and in this recipe, glacé cherries. Because recipes differ I am unsure as to how authentic their addition is. However, in our home their presence in any fruit cake is a must. Alternatively, simply leave them out if you aren’t a fan and add more dried fruit.

Since baking a fruit cake without spices allows the other flavours in the cake to come through. So, taking my first bite the freshness of the lemon hit with the warmth from the sherry, creating a deliciously moist cake. While the cherries and fruit add to the overall flavour, the almonds, in contrast, provide a delightful crunchy topping. Resulting in a perfectly balanced cake, both in flavour and texture.

A single firework candle lit in the centre of this cake, creating a spectacular display that had our son enthralled. And when we cut the cake, his pleasure was clear to see. While devouring his first slice he had a big smile on his face. Thoroughly pleased with this Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake for his birthday, this was most definitely a hit. Most importantly, our son thoroughly enjoyed his birthday, it was indeed a true celebration.

Recipe: Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake serves 10-12

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter plus 1tbsp – at room temperature

225g/8oz Soft Light Brown Sugar I use – Billington’s

1/4tsp Salt I use – Maldon

1tsp Vanilla Extract I use – Nielsen-Massey

4 Large Free Range Eggs

300g/11oz Plain White Flour

4tsp Baking Powder

100g/4oz Ground Almonds

225g/8oz Sultanas

200g/7oz Raisins

200g/7oz Glacé Cherries cut half of the cherries in half and leave the remaining whole

1 Whole Lemon – scrubbed with a nail brush under hot water

2-3tbsps Sherry – alternatively replace with full fat milk

75g/3oz Whole Blanched Almonds

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F.

Cake Tin Size And Preparation

A 20cm/8″ diameter 10cm/4″ deep round cake tin is needed for this bake. Grease the tin with butter and line the bottom and sides with baking parchment. The sides of the parchment should be above the top of the tin by 3-4 inches. Cut a spare circle of parchment that fits the base. This may be used later to stop the cake from browning too quickly on the top.

Making The Fruit Cake Batter

First sift the flour together with the baking powder into a spare bowl.
Next in a large bowl add the softened butter, sugar and salt. Whisk these together until they are pale and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract, 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of sifted flour. Whisk for 30 seconds until just incorporated.
Repeat this process, adding an egg and 1 tablespoon of flour, whisking to mix, until all the eggs have been added.
Now add the remaining flour and ground almonds. Then add the sultanas, raisins and glacé cherries.
Grate the zest of the lemon directly into the bowl and then add its juice.
Finally add 2 tablespoons of sherry, or milk and using a large spoon fold all the ingredients together, adding another tablespoon of sherry/milk if the batter is too thick.
Spoon the lemon/sherry flavoured cake batter into the parchment lined cake tin, smoothing the top so that it is flat.
Decorate the top of the cake with 3 rings of blanched almonds – see the photos for guidance. Tip – lay the almonds flat on to the cake batter surface. I pushed them in a little and a couple were enveloped by the cake batter whilst baking.

Baking The Dundee Cake

Place an ovenproof dish of water on the shelf underneath the middle shelf in the oven. This should ensure a flat, even top as the cake bakes.
Next put your cake tin into the middle of the oven and bake for 2 – 3 hours.
Check the cake after 1.5 hours baking. If the top is already golden, then place the spare circle of baking parchment on top of the cake. Because the cake still has a while to bake, this should stop the top from burning.
Once 2 hours baking time has elapsed, check to see if the cake is baked by inserting a skewer. The cake is baked when the removed skewer is clean. Should it have cake batter on it, the cake is not fully baked and needs more time in the oven.
Continue checking the cake at 15 minute intervals. As soon as the skewer comes out clean the cake is fully baked and can be removed from the oven.
Place the cake tin on a trivet or cooling rack and allow the cake to cool completely in the tin.

Serving The Fruit Cake

Leaving the cake to cool overnight is ideal.
When the cake is completely cooled turn it out from the tin and then carefully remove the baking parchment from the base and the sides.
Place on a board or cake stand.

Serve the cake with a cup of tea, or a glass of something bubbly.

Homemade cake is far superior in both taste and texture when compared to mass produced, shop bought alternatives. Any celebration, whether a birthday, anniversary, or family get together, will be richly enhanced, with the addition of a home baked cake.

If you have enjoyed the recipe for this Dundee Fruit Celebration Cake then you may also like these:

Raspberry Almond Cream Cake

Fluted Chocolate Lemon Marble Cake

Mascarpone Topped Carrot Cake

While I enjoy baking cakes, getting together with family and friends is always a celebration when cake is present. Catching up over a slice of cake and a cup of tea can turn any event into a celebration, even if it is simply sharing with a neighbour.

Most of all, my long held belief that food shared, not only tastes better, it also somehow enriches the experience of eating. As a result our lives are made richer, purely by eating with others. A simple concept that can easily be achieved.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Snowy Black Forest Roulade

Happy holidays to all of my wonderful readers. Since we are all getting in the festive mood here at Feasting headquarters (home!) I have an easy to make and delicious gluten free dessert to share. While you can absolutely make this Snowy Black Forest Roulade with regular wheat flour, using a gluten free alternative ensures this dessert recipe is available to more people. And we are all about inclusivity here at Feasting is Fun.

Making A Genoise Sponge

Since I have never made a gluten free genoise sponge before, I wanted to attempt it. No fat is added when making a Genoise Sponge. Rather, whisking eggs and sugar until light and foamy. And then you carefully fold both the flour and cocoa powder into the mix. Most importantly is to be careful not to knock out the whipped air. Resulting in a baked sponge that is beautifully light.

Cherry and whipped cream filled chocolate sponge roll. Topped with chocolate trees and a dusting of icing sugar snow. — Snowy Black Forest Roulade with gluten free option.

Because adding cocoa can have a drying effect on the sponge, I worried whether the cake would hold up to being rolled. Since a good roulade sponge should withstand rolling, without cracking. So the possibilities of how wrong this sponge could go, seemed endless. Maybe this bake would fail? Yet the only way to know, was to try.

FF Gluten Free Dessert — Gluten Free Snowy Black Forest Roulade

Gluten Free Genoise Sponge Roulade

So, the gluten free chocolate genoise sponge was made and baked. And as you can see from the photos, it did indeed roll, without cracking and the flavour is utterly delicious. Light, soft, chocolate sponge, filled with kirsch flavoured whipped cream and soft, sweet cherries. One mouthful of this Snowy Black Forest Rouladand I am completely lost in one of my favourite flavour combinations.

Finally, my taste testers were happily enjoying eatythe roulade, completely unaware it was gluten free. A very positive sign. Since I have baked quite a few gluten free recipes, it’s a thrill when the texture and flavour are spot on. A soft, yielding sponge, that tastes just like a sponge should. As a result of this bake I have plans to make another gluten rolled sponge, that is simply flavoured with vanilla or lemon.

I find that the proof of the pudding is in the eating! And when plates and bowls are left empty, I am satisfied that whatever I have made is a hit. Our children can be brutally honest, especially Snugs, our youngest daughter. She scored this Snowy Black Forest Roulade at 9 out of 10. Another success for the Feasting kitchen.

Recipe: Snowy Black Forest Roulade

1tbsp Unsalted Butter

4 Large Free Range Eggs

80g Caster Sugar

50g Gluten Free Plain White Flour – I use Doves Farm alternatively use Plain White Flour (for non gluten free Roulade)

50g Cocoa Powder plus an extra 2tbsp – I use Callebaut

1tsp Baking Powder – I use Waitrose as it is gluten free

Small Pinch of Salt – I use Maldon

300ml Double Cream

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

4tsp Icing Sugar

1 Tin Cherry Pie Filling (410g)

Optional 2tbsp Kirsch Liquer

100g Dark Chocolate

50g White Chocolate

Optional – White Edible Glitter

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4

Note: To bake the sponge for this Snowy Black Forest Roulade you will need a baking tray that measures 38cm x 25cm x 3cm (15″ x 10″ x 1″).

Creating the Chocolate Genoise Sponge Batter

First of all grease the baking tray with butter and line the base with baking parchment.
Sift the gluten free flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
Next, in a large bowl, or if you have a stand mixer use the bowl with the whisk attachment, add the sugar and eggs. Whisk continuously for at least 5 minutes, until the egg/sugar mixture has more than tripled in size. The mixture will be a pale cream colour that is very light and airy. It should leave a ribbon trail, that lasts a few seconds, after you remove the whisk.
Tip the sifted ingredients into the whisked egg mixture and using a large metal spoon, carefully fold the sifted ingredients in. The aim is to retain as much air within the finished cake batter as possible.
Once the ingredients are completely combined pour the mixture in to the prepared baking tray. Use a palette knife to ensure that the cake batter is evenly spread, ensuring that it reaches all of the corners.

FF Snowy Black Forest Roulade — Making the sponge batter and filling the baking tray.

Baking and Cooling the Sponge

Now place the baking tray into the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
To test if the sponge is baked press lightly in the centre, when baked the sponge will spring back. Note – be careful not to over bake as this will cause the sponge to be dry and it will then be harder to roll without cracking.
Finally, when the sponge is baked, remove it from the oven.
Next, allow the sponge to cool in the tin for 2 minutes.
While the sponge is cooling, lay a large, just bigger than the sponge, piece of baking parchment on the work top.
Dust the baking parchment with the extra 2 tablespoons of cocoa, so that it is evenly covered.
Now run a palette knife around the edge of the sponge and then turn it out on to the baking parchment.
Very carefully remove the parchment that lined the baking tray.
Starting at one side and using the baking parchment to help, gently roll the sponge, while it is still warm.
Once rolled, set to one side until completely cooled.

Making the Chocolate Trees:

While waiting for the sponge to cool, the chocolate trees can be made.
First you will need 2 small disposable piping bags to pipe the trees with.
Next break up both types of chocolate and place in heatproof, microwaveable bowls.
Heat the chocolate, individually, on medium until it has started to melt.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir until the chocolate has completely melted.
Now fill each piping bag with melted chocolate. Leave the chocolate to cool, until it is still liquid, yet warm, not hot, in the piping bag. As a result of leaving the chocolate to cool, it will be thicker and easier to control whilst piping the trees.
Starting with the dark chocolate, pipe tree shapes on to a non stick silicone mat, or baking parchment. The trees should be about 3 inches (7.5cm) high, please see the photo below.

Allow the dark chocolate to set and then pipe white chocolate on the top of each branch. Leave the trees to completely set before attempting to remove them.
It is inevitable that some trees will break as they are removed. This is great as most forest floors have fallen/broken branches on them. So they can be used to add further decoration to the roulade.

Filling and decorating the Snowy Black Forest Roulade:

In a large bowl add the cream, vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of Kirsch and 2 teaspoons of sifted icing sugar – a tea strainer is handy for sifting small amounts.
Whisk the cream until it just holds a stiff peak.
Unroll the chocolate sponge and then, using a palette knife, spread half of the cream over the sponge.
Decant the cherry pie filling into a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of kirsch and stir to mix.
Next, using a spoon, place cherries evenly across the sponge, then spoon the syrup in between the cherries.
Using the baking parchment roll the sponge into it a log, finishing with the seam underneath.
Transfer the Roulade to a suitable plate.
Fit a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, then fill the bag with the remaining whipped cream.
Pipe single flower stars along the top of the Roulade and then along the sides.

To finish the decoration, carefully peel the piped chocolate trees away from the non stick surface.
Place the trees evenly along the top of the Roulade, pushing them into the piped cream.
Use any broken tree parts as forest floor decorations, anchoring them to the roulade with the piped cream.
Finally finish the dessert by sifting icing sugar snow over the Roulade, sprinkling edible glitter for added sparkle!

FF Gluten Free Roulade — Snowy Black Forest Roulade

Serve sliced with a smile!

All the flavour of a Black Forest Gateaux rolled into a stunning, Christmassy, Snowy Black Forest Roulade that is completely gluten free. A dessert that can be enjoyed by more people, without any loss of taste, texture or quality.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for this Snowy Black Forest Roulade here are some other gluten free recipes you may enjoy:

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Raspberry Chocolate Pavlova

Strawberry Whipped Cream Giant Doughnut

Gluten free recipes can taste just as great as their regular, wheat based counterparts. Also, creating recipes that can be made and eaten by people on a restricted diet, is an important part of what I do at Feasting is Fun. So you can look forward to more recipes being added, especially with Christmas not very far away.

Finally, when a recipe tastes as good as this Snowy Black Forest Roulade, there is no need to bake separate desserts. And that has to be a good thing, for both those on a restricted diet and the cook!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

I am submitting this Snowy Black Forest Roulade to October’s We Should Cocoa over at Tin and Thyme

Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

I have most definitely fallen in love. The kind of head over heels, mind consuming, heart compelling love that completely takes over one’s life. And the object of my desire is orange, coincidentally my favourite colour, big and round. Pumpkin where have you been all my life? It would seem, puréed in a can, far, far away. Until now, where I can hoard cans of this delicious ingredient, ready to make Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins whenever I desire.

Autumnal bake with large orange squash. — Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

Americans, Canadians, no doubt many other countries have long known the delight that is pumpkin purée. While not the most compelling ingredient straight from the can, it lends a flavour and texture to bakes that other ingredients cannot.

Late To The Pumpkin Party!

Since venturing into Pumpkin Spice World with my very first pumpkin bake, these doughnuts, I soon realised that I had uncovered an amazing ingredient. The tenderness, colour and delicate flavour that pumpkin purée lends to a bake is unique. Resulting in some of the best bakes I have ever tasted.

So, now I have found a regular supplier long may this love affair continue. Since I intend to explore as many different bakes and desserts using my newly discovered love and they will be posted on here. Because sharing my passion seems only fair. Hopefully you will discover a love for all things pumpkin, by the time October ends.

And as always, here on Feasting is Fun, sharing is a key part of my passion behind blogging. An example of how I share, just happened. Unable to drive at the present see here, I appreciate the Pharmacy, adjoined to my doctors, delivering my prescriptions. Just now, once I’d received my medications, I was able to share one of these Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins with the delivery lady. The perfect way to show my thanks.

Recipe: Makes 12 Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

100g/4oz Unsalted Butter melted and cooled

200g/7oz Pumpkin Purée – available from Sainsbury’s

150g/5oz Full Fat Natural Yoghurt – I use Yeo Valley

2 Large Free Range Eggs

125g/4.5oz Plain White Flour

100g/4oz Wholemeal Flour

2tsp Baking Powder

85g/3.5oz Chopped Walnuts

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon

150g/5oz Soft Light Brown Sugar plus 1tbsp

2.5tsp Pumpkin Spice Mix see here if you would like to make your own

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 3, 325F

Making The Muffin Batter

Firstly melt the butter in a heatproof, microwaveable jug and set to one side to cool.
Line a 12 hole muffin tin with cases, I used pretty tulip wrappers.
Next, in a large bowl add the flours, chopped walnuts, sugar, spice and salt. Stir with a balloon whisk to distribute the ingredients evenly and break up any lumps in the sugar. Dry ingredients.
As soon as the butter has cooled add in the yoghurt, pumpkin purée and eggs. Beat with a fork until the ingredients are combined. Wet ingredients.
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and then pour the wet ingredients into the dry.
Mix until just combined. Over mixing will cause the muffins to become tough.

FF Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins — Bringing the muffin batter together.

Spoon the muffin mix into the muffin cases, distributing the mix as evenly as possible.
Finally, using the extra tablespoon of sugar sprinkle a little over the top of each unbaked muffin.

Baking The Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

Place the muffin tin in the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
My muffins were baked at 25 minutes, but I started checking after 20 minutes.
Once baked the muffins should be just firm to the touch, without any visible wobble (this was present when checking at 20 minutes). The Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins will have a slight sparkle, or sheen to them from the additional sugar sprinkled just prior to baking.
As soon as the muffins are baked remove the tin from the oven.

Inhale deeply. The baked pumpkin spices smell of warm, comforting, welcoming food. Who needs scented candles?
If you have used the tulip style muffin wrappers I strongly suggest leaving them to cool completely in the muffin tin. Because, I find doing so prevents them from unwrapping themselves, as can be the case if removed whilst hot.
Regular muffin cases can be removed after cooling for 10 minutes in the tin. Place on a cooling rack.

These delightful Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins are their best served warm. One of the benefits of using tulip style wrappers is that they unfold to create the perfect napkin, to hold and enjoy the experience of eating a muffin.

Pulled apart or bitten straight into, these muffins are all that is good about Autumn, wrapped up in an edible parcel. Also golden in colour, they imitate the autumnal palette, crunchy walnuts akin to walking through fallen leaves. Warm spices and tender crumb resemble falling into a big sofa near an open fire, after a crisp afternoon walk.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins you may also enjoy these:

Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts

Autumn Apple Almond Cake

Gluten free apple and almond cake with a slice cut. — Autumn Apple Almond Cake a GLUTEN FREE recipe.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake

Baking these Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins releases the aroma of the pumpkin spice mix within, creating a welcoming ambiance in the home. When visitors arrive, or the postman knocks on the front door, I want them to feel welcome. Nurtured by the warmth of our home and good food, they leave contented and comforted.

While baking, making and creating in the kitchen, my aim is to convey love, acceptance and warmth through food. Since sharing the food made, is an extension of home and all it represents. Because, meeting another’s needs on both a physical and emotional level, while sharing time and companionship over a coffee and a home baked treat, shows food really can be so much more than fuel.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of the post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts

Autumn is such a beautiful season. As leaves change through a rainbow of green, yellow, gold, orange and rust. Low sunlight casting a golden glow on days that are spared from wind and rain ravaged storms. Because Autumn is a season of transition. Summer salads gradually disappear, replaced by comforting soups, stews and roasts. While these Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts not only look autumnal, they warm the senses with long since forgotten spices.

Autumn squash donuts displayed on a small white cake stand. — Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts

Baking Blogger Inspiration:

Inspiration hit to make these Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts after reading a similar recipe from Baker By Nature. Although I had never baked with pumpkin purée before, the first batch had me hooked. Since, as is the nature of most bakers, after testing, the recipe needed a little tweaking to accommodate our family’s taste preference, a second batch was the made the following day.

Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts really are the beautiful ochre colour that can been seen in the photographs. Also the spiced sugar sparkles in the low afternoon sunlight. So, for once there wasn’t a temptation to sprinkle with glitter!

Baked pumpkin donuts close up for recipe header. — Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts

Pumpkin love

While the inhabitants of North America’s continent have been using pumpkin in pies, cakes and bakes for many years, over the pond we have been missing out. It seems that here in the U.K. we tend to carve out a stinky, cabbage smelling pumpkin at Halloween, without a thought to eating the flesh. Yes I know we eat butternut squash, in fact I put it in this Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup. Yet, I cannot feel as though we are losing out.

Pumpkin purée lends a tenderness to the crumb of these doughnuts that has to be tasted to be believed. Because the flavour is subtle, it allows the pumpkin spice mix to compliment, rather than overwhelm it. Finishing with a sprinkle of cinnamon spiced sugar creates the contrast in texture and awakens the senses. Resulting in a not quite as light as a fried doughnut, yet delicious in its own right.

Becky’s recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix:

4 tbsp Ground Cinnamon

3tsp Ground Ginger

2 tsp Ground Nutmeg

2 tsp Ground Allspice

1 tsp Ground Cloves

Mix together and store in an airtight jar.

Making the Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts:

Recipe: Makes 7-8 Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts

50g Unsalted Butter – melted and cooled plus extra butter for greasing the doughnut tin.

80g Pumpkin Purée – available at Sainsbury’s

145g Full Fat Natural Yoghurt – I use Yeo Valley

1 Large Free Range Egg

185g Plain White Flour

1tsp Baking Powder

1/8tsp Salt -I use Maldon

1.5tsp Pumpkin Spice Mix – Becky’s recipe

75g Soft Light Brown Sugar

To coat the Doughnuts:

60g Unsalted Melted Butter

75g Granulated Sugar

2tsp Ground Cinnamon

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4, 350F.

Making The Pumpkin Spiced Doughnut Batter:

The baked doughnut tins I use are from Wilton and on testing did not need greasing. However, brushing the doughnut tin with melted butter is recommended.
In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and pumpkin spice. Stir with a balloon whisk, breaking up any lumps in the sugar. Dry ingredients.
In a jug or smaller bowl add the pumpkin, yoghurt, egg and melted butter. Whisk together lightly with a fork until the mixture is a uniform orange colour. Wet ingredients.
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in. Stir with a spoon until just combined. Similar to making a muffin mix.
Fill a piping bag, fitted with a circular nozzle, approximately 1.5 – 2 cm diameter, with the doughnut batter.
Pipe 7-8 doughnuts into the tins.

FF Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts — **Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts** in the making.

Baking The Doughnuts:

Place the doughnut tins in the centre of the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes – mine took 13 minutes.
The doughnuts will be firm, with a little spongy give when pressed, slightly golden and look a little crinkled on top when baked.
As soon as the doughnuts are baked remove from the oven and immediately tip out on to a cooling rack.

Coating The Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts:

While the doughnuts are cooking melt the butter to dip them in. 30 seconds on medium was sufficient in our microwave. Ensure the bowl is big enough to take a complete doughnut if you choose to dunk.
Next place the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, ensuring it is big enough as before and mix to combine.
While the doughnuts are still warm, dunk, or as I did, brush all over with melted butter. Remembering to turn the doughnut to ensure even coverage.
Immediately after, either dunk the doughnut in the spiced sugar, or sprinkle over the sugar while the doughnuts are on the rack.

Since trying both dunking and brushing/sprinkling methods, the second method is my preference.
In reality, brushing with butter used exactly the same amount as dunking them. The choice really is yours.
As a family, although utterly delicious, we decided that the first batch of doughnuts were too sugary. Yes that really is possible 😉.
Finally, when dunking the doughnuts in the sugar, the butter makes the spiced sugar damp. An example of this can be seen in the photograph below. Therefore, I decided to sprinkle them with sugar, resulting in less sugar sticking, whilst keeping its sparkly appearance.

Serve immediately, with a warming drink.

Cafe culture at home

I heated a Chocolate Chip Latte Milkshake in a jug with a little extra milk, poured into fancy glasses and given a splash of ginger syrup. The drinks were then topped with mini gingerbread sprinkles. Resulting in a Cafe Culture experience at home. Alternatively, make a hot chocolate and add a sprinkle of cinnamon or ginger spices.

Finally, for those of you who would rather not, or cannot, go out, especially when the weather is bleak, this is the ultimate, at home, Cafe Culture treat!

Pumpkin spiced donuts broken in half to show light and airy texture. — So light and fluffy.

If you have enjoyed the recipe for Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts you may also enjoy these:

Spiced Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Loaf Cake

Easy Blackberry Oat Muffin Recipe

Blackberry oat muffins served with coffee in a lined tray. — Easy Blackberry Oat Muffin Recipe

When served slightly warm I think that these doughnuts truly are at their best. While the recipe makes 8 individual Baked Pumpkin Spiced Doughnuts unless you are baking for more I really wouldn’t recommend doubling it. Because the preparation time is scarcely 10 minutes max and these are definitely better eaten the day they are made. That said, kept in an airtight container they will last an extra day. Pinged for 10 seconds in the microwave and they are almost back to freshly baked tenderness.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

Why not take a look at my friend Becky’s blog?

It’s full of fantastic recipes and is written in a step-by-step style. Also, you are sure to enjoy her Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Bisuits.

Homemade Yorkshire Puddings

Homemade Yorkshire Puddings are golden, crisp, well risen, individual bakes of pure, indulgent, comfort food.

While no meal HAS to have Homemade Yorkshire Puddings, what they add, to a roast, bangers and mash, or cooked with the sausages as ‘Toad in the Hole’, is immeasurable. Ultimately, eating them with roast beef is the traditional accompaniment here in England. Rather like stuffing with chicken or turkey.

Actually, for me, Homemade Yorkshire Puddings me shouldn’t be uniformly perfect. Because part of their charm is the craggy appearance, some with a hole, others billowing like cumulus clouds. Ready to soak up rich, meaty gravy.

FF Homemade Yorkshire Puddings — **Homemade Yorkshire Puddings** little effort for big reward.

Yet in the U.S.A. our beloved Yorkie Puds, are called ‘Popovers’. A fantastic name that I think describes them perfectly. Since they literally popover the top of the muffin tin whilst they bake.

Since childhood I enjoy happily watching these incredible bakes, laying prostrate, in front of the oven, in awe at the ‘magic’ as they rise.

Made from a simple batter, these gravity defying delights enhance any dinner plate they grace.

Various methods as well as recipes exist claiming to be the ‘best way’ of making a Yorkie Puds. While my method is tried and tested over the years. I have found no difference in the final result, whether I rest or use the batter immediately. Finally, what I am sure of, is that this recipe consistently works for me.

Furthermore, a real bonus to making these is that they can be made ahead and even frozen. What’s not to love about these savoury wonders?

Recipe: Makes 12 Large Homemade Yorkshire Puddings

Vegetable oil or Lard for greasing the muffin tin

3 Large Free Range Eggs

250ml Milk -Whole or Semi Skimmed

200g Plain White Flour

1/8th tsp Salt – I use Maldon

1/8th tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Pinch of Sugar

Method: Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan, gas mark 7, 425F

Making The Yorkshire Pudding Batter

In a large jug add the eggs.
Next add the milk, salt, black pepper and sugar. Whisk using a balloon whisk until the egg and milk are thoroughly combined and there are lots of bubbles.
Now add the plain white flour, sugar and salt and pepper. Continue to whisk, by hand, for a couple of minutes. The batter should be completely lump free. Cover and set to one side.

Baking The Homemade Yorkshire Puddings

Place a teaspoon of vegetable oil, or lard into a 12 hole muffin tin (or popover tin).
Put the muffin tin in the oven for 10 minutes until it is smoking hot.
Just prior to removing the tin from the oven, give the batter a quick whisk, in case it has settled.
Working quickly, yet safely, remove the hot muffin tin from the oven and pour the batter mix into each hole. The batter should fill each muffin hole by half.
Return the muffin tin back into the top of the hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

As soon as the Yorkshire Puddings are well risen, golden and crispy remove from the oven.

To remove the Yorkshire Puddings simply lift them out from the muffin tin. If any have slightly stuck run a butter knife between the tin and the pudding and it should release easily.

Serve straight away, or as I frequently do, place on a baking tray to cool. While dishing up the roast potatoes, pop the Homemade Yorkshire Puddings back into a hot oven to reheat.

Make Ahead And Storage Instructions

Although our kitchen isn’t small, it does lack workspace. Yet being able to make these in advance, really is a huge help, especially if we have guests joining us for dinner.

To freeze, cool thoroughly, place in a freezer proof bag and keep in the freezer for up to one month. To reheat from frozen, place on a baking tray in a hot oven for 5 minutes. Once they are reheated they will taste as if you have just made them. No one will will ever know! Actually, I always make our Christmas Yorkshire Puddings ahead of the big day and freeze them. While I love cooking, I also want to have fun and enjoy myself too.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Homemade Yorkshire Puddings you may also like these.

Slow Roasted Cider Pork

Garlic Rosemary Roast Potatoes

Homemade Cauliflower Cheese

Because this is such a simple recipe, im always surprised that shop bought Yorkshire Puddings so popular. Since I like the slightly softer centre that comes with Homemade Yorkshire Puddings. For such a simple recipe I am amazed at the extra ingredients needed for their pre made, shop bought counterparts.

Baking and cooking from scratch will always be my priority. I hope that you too choose to try these?

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Iced Bakewell Tart

I adore Bakewell Tart. Especially the layers of pastry, raspberry jam and almond sponge combined, taste utterly delicious to me. Because I love the flavours so much I have a few ‘Bakewell’ recipes on here. Usually I am content to leave the top of the sponge covered in almond flakes. While following Mary Berry’s pretty iced tart last week, on the Great British Bake Off programme, I decided to try it out. Resulting in this Iced Bakewell Tart.

Everything you see on and in this tart is homemade, including the raspberry jam. Which, just happens to be my favourite and is incredibly easy to make, for the recipe please see HERE . I’ll put that into a separate post, otherwise this ones going to be miles too long, we just want to get to the part where we can eat this Iced Bakewell Tart!

Adding Fresh Flowers To Enhance The Photography

Having spotted a couple of open blooms open on my rose bush, I couldn’t resist cutting them and placing the vase next to the tart. They give the photos a romantic, afternoon tea look, echoing the pink icing on the top of the tart.

As much as I enjoy coming up with new recipes and testing them to ensure they will work as well for you as they do me, I’ve also grown to enjoy the photography side of my blog. Sometimes adding a single item can transform the ‘feel’ of a photograph. My slightly wind ravaged rose has added an element of beauty, but also imperfection, which I really like. Especially as I feathered the icing all in the same direction, more on that later!!!

FF Iced Bakewell Tart — **Iced Bakewell Tart** a delicious raspberry and almond treat for any special occasion.

The Importance Of Sharing A Meal

With Feasting is Fun, my aim is to make each meal, recipe or bake a feast. What I mean by that is this; when time is taken to prepare good, homemade food, it should be enjoyed and the atmosphere as we feast together should be fun. Conversation across the dinner table can be one of the most important parts of the day. People relax, enjoy their meal and open up about their day.

Sitting together as a family, at least one day a week, I believe is incredibly important for the health and well being of us all. Sharing a meal more regularly is preferable, however, my hubby doesn’t get in until late some nights and I realise we are not unique in that aspect of family life.

I honestly believe, that from sharing family time, over a meal, our 3 children have grown to enjoy the same foods and meals as us, their parents. Of course they all have their preferences and there are certain ingredients they do not eat. What we enjoy is sitting with a curry, or a couple of pizza’s and some homemade coleslaw, at the weekend, feasting both on the food and each other’s company.

Weekend Baking And Afternoon Tea

That’s why I love the idea of afternoon tea. Usually at the weekends when we tend to eat our evening meal a bit later. Mid afternoon the kettle will go on, teapot filled and we’ll feast on whatever ‘mum’s’ been making that morning. Truthfully, most of what I make on those occasions doesn’t make it to this blog. I want to enjoy the company of my family. That said on occasions when I am taking photos, once I’ve said that it’s ok for everyone to help themselves it still amazes me how quickly a cake can disappear!

I take this as a good sign that it tastes great 😉.

This tart was baked in an 25cm/10″ x 5cm/2″ deep loose bottom tart tin, the same one I use for my quiches, see here.

Recipe: Iced Bakewell Tart serves 10-12

400g Shortcrust Pastry – in my opinion the Iced Bakewell Tart is sweet enough without using sweetened shortcrust pastry, see my pastry recipe here

3-4 heaped tablespoons Raspberry Jam

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter

150g/5.5oz Caster Sugar

1/8th tsp Salt – I use Maldon

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I always use Nielsen-Massey extracts

1/2tsp Almond Extract

3 Large Free Range Eggs

100g/4oz Ground Almonds

75g/3oz Plain White Flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

For the icing:

350g White Icing Sugar

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

Alternatively for an un-iced finish you will need 25g flaked almonds

Method : Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan, gas mark 7, 425F

Just a quick note about the pastry case – usually I trim any excess pastry from the tin, chill for 30 minutes in the fridge and then bake. When I baked this tart I was really pushed for time, so baked with an overlapping of pastry which was them trimmed after baking. I would thoroughly recommend trimming the pastry prior to baking for a neater edge. I also had a couple of problems with the pastry sticking right near the top.

Making And Blind Baking The Shortcrust Pastry Tart Shell

Roll the pastry fairly thinly, about the depth of a £1 coin and line the tart tin – note when using homemade pastry I never grease the tart tin, however if you are unsure of how non stick your tin is brush lightly with some cooled melted butter.
Dock the bottom of the pastry case with a fork to keep it flat during baking.
Cut a large piece of baking parchment, screw it into a ball and then line your pastry tart case with it and fill with baking/ceramic beans.
Place in the middle of the oven and ‘blind bake’ for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes baking has elapsed, remove the tart from the oven. Lift out the baking beans using the baking parchment and place the tart back into the oven for a further 10 minutes, until it is golden and cooked on the base.

Making The Almond Cake Layer

In a large bowl whisk/beat together the butter, sugar and salt until it is very pale and creamy.
Add in the almond and vanilla extract and whisk/beat until incorporated.
Next add all 3 eggs and whisk/beat for a minute.
Remove the whisk, add in the flour, baking powder and ground almonds. Using a large spoon fold these ingredients into the mix until they are just combined.

Assembling And Baking The Bakewell Tart

Once the baked tart case has cooled slightly, spoon the raspberry jam into the centre and spread it, using the back of the spoon, so that it almost reaches the rim.
Now spoon over the almond sponge, starting from the outside and working towards the centre. The almond sponge will cover and seal the jam in. Thus stopping the jam from leeching out the side and on to the top of the sponge.
If you are baking an un-iced tart sprinkle the top with flaked almonds.

Reduce the oven heat to 190C/170C fan, gas mark 5, 375F.
Place the jam and almond sponge filled tart back into the middle of the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the sponge is golden and firm to the touch, without wobbling in the centre – mine took 45 minutes.
As soon as the tart is baked remove from the oven and allow to cool.

An in-iced Bakewell tart finished with flaked almonds. — Baked un-iced Bakewell Tart topped with flaked almonds.

Icing The Bakewell Tart

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Add the almond extract and enough water, I used approximately 30mls, to form a thick but pourable paste, once stirred together.
Remove 2tbsp of icing to a small bowl, add the tip of a cocktail stick, that has been dipped in pink gel icing and stir. Aim for a pale pink colour, however if you’d like a deeper pink, go for it! Place your coloured glacé icing into a small piping bag.
Keeping the 2 icings very separate, pour the pure white icing over the tart. Start in the centre use an offset spatula to push it to the edges.
Snip the end off of the small icing bag and pipe horizontal lines of pink icing across the white icing, separated by 5cm/2″, from edge to edge. Work fairly quickly as you want both icings to still be unset when you drag through, with a cocktail stick.

Feathering Piping Effect

Using a cocktail stick, again with a spacing of 5cm/2″, place the tip of the skewer at the top of the icing and drag it through to the bottom. Reversing from bottom to top next time. You can see, during the rush to complete my tart on time, I pulled my icing all in the same direction. Oh the pressure!
Below is a photo of my tart with my one directional feathering (if it can be called that) compare with the accurate feathering of my Cherry Almond Sandwich Cake.

As the glacé icing is quite thick, leave for a good 2-3 hours before serving.

Place your Iced Bakewell Tart on a pretty plate or stand and serve with a drink of your choice. Mid morning with a steaming mug of coffee or a pot of tea mid afternoon.

If you enjoy the flavour of almonds and raspberry together, this Iced Bakewell Tart is really worth making.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Iced Bakewell Tart you may also like these:

Raspberry Almond Cream Cake

Bakewell Shortbread Bars

Cherry Bakewell Cookies

While talking about family time and feasting together, my intention certainly is not to preach. In truth, I eat far too many meals away from my family, in bed, due to my health. Rather what I’m trying to say I say, is, that when you have the opportunity, make the most of it!

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun remembering times spent and times to come feasting with friends and family.

Sammie xx

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